Author's note
The Houndoom in this chapter is Pokemon characters so they aren't My Little Pony characters at all; Then again, since I have put a non-character in a fic before (IM Cree Lincoln in my past All Grown Up fics), it probably doesn't matter anyway.

Chapter 2: The Terrible Demon Pony

Hours has passed as Dusk and Spike pull the wagon on their trek to the fair. Of course, destiny seems to have decided to take them both into a dark forest.

"Weird, we should've been there by now." Dusk said in concern as he looks around the dark forest while glancing at the map that should've taken him to the town where the fair is at. "Spike, did we take a wrong turn or something?"

"We must've, Dusk. I don't recognize this part of town." Spike remarks as he looks around the dark forest. "Man, either the path got a dark forest or we're really lost."

"Wait, what's this?" Dusk ask puzzled. He and Spike saw a fork in the road that has a signpost, but the signs themselves appear to be unintelligent and badly written.

"Looks like no one has been here for years or something."

Dusk and Spike looks around, knowing that one false turn would get them further lost and right into danger. The little dragon glance at one direction, which leads further into the dark and terrible, and to another direction which has a bit of light shining.

"Well, I say we go left." Spike said with a nod as he prepares to turn the wagon left.

"No, we shall go in this direction." Dusk said as he motions to the other direction...right into the dark forest, much to Spike's horror as he looks from it and to the light area.

"Are you crazy, Dusk? That way looks like it could lead us into Houndoom or worst! We better go to the left or we're lunch!"

"Oh, don't be a coward, it's a shortcut!" Dusk insists as the unicorn heads down the dark looking road, making Spike gulp in fear. "No worries, we should be there in no time flat."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Spike said nervously. He got a bad feeling that the two are heading to a wrong direction.

A while has passed as the two friends walk through the dark forest; both of them are getting a bit nervous as Dusk and Spike looks around. They could've sworn that they themselves saw a shadow of a Houndoom rushing through the trees...along with a howl, making Spike gulp in terror.

"Hold on, this can't be right! Spike, where have you taken us?" Dusk demands to Spike in concern.

"Hey, you're the one who wanted to go down this way, Dusk!" Spike protests to Dusk innocently. "I just wanted to go to the path to the left!"

"You're right. Maybe we oughta turn around..."

Spike nods in agreement; that is one thing that happens that the little dragon can agree with. Of course as Dusk back the wagon up, he accidentally hit a tree. This causes a flock of bats to fly out and causing Spike to scream as he hit the reins, causing Dusk to run while pulling the wagon with the invention in it.

"Whoa, whoa," Dusk yelps as he stops to avoid running off a cliff in time. But as the two turns, the two hit a bunch, knocking the unicorn down.

Spike didn't notice as he frantically begins driving the cart away into the forest while with the invention. Dusk got back up, looking around in concern. This doesn't look good.

"Err, Spike?" Dusk begins to ask nervously. For some reason, the unicorn is suspecting that his little friend isn't coming back anytime soon.

As Dusk prepares for a dangerous trek through the forest, he heard growling, turning his head slowly and saw a pack of Houndoom appearing...and these guys look hungry! Dusk gulps a bit, has he been able to use his unicorn powers properly, the unicorn would've taken these guys.

But Dusk can't so he did the natural thing: the unicorn runs away with the Houndoom in hot pursuit. The unicorn rush as fast as he could but yelps as he rolls down a steep hill, landing on the bottom of it.

As Dusk got back up while shaking the dirt off of himself, he looks up to see a terrifying sight: an iron gate and fence. This must be someone's home! The unicorn looks up the hill that he has fallen down of to see the Houndoom appearing on top of the hill, growling at him. Dusk didn't hesitate to get back up and rush over to the gate.

"Help me, someone open the gate!" Dusk exclaims frantically as the Houndoom rush down the hill to attack him.

Luckily, the gate flew open, causing Dusk to fell behind it. Quickly, the unicorn slams the gate close before the Houndoom could get him, causing his pursuers to fall back. Dusk shines in relief but yelps as one of the Pokemon grabs him by the hoof through the gate's far. Dusk manages to shake himself free and got away from the growling Houndoom, safe and sound.

Dusk sighs, looking up to see an amazing sight: it's a dark castle that appears to be in the middle of a storm. As lighting flash in the sky and it begins to rain, the unicorn sniffs a bit and heads up to the door. Dusk may as well stay here for the night as it's dangerous with those Houndoom at the gate, waiting for him. Plus, the unicorn is catching a cold so he needs some medical care at once.

Dusk knocks on the door causing it to creak a bit. He hesitates a bit before went into the castle's foyer. Hopefully someone in here is kind and will give him some hospitality in this place.

As the castle appears to be dark, Dusk casually yet cautiously look around while calling out, "Hello?" No one answers at first. "Oh boy, I hope someone is home. Hello, anyone home?"

It looks like someone is here; Dusk can hear voices, though both sound to be young foals. One of them spoke in concern, "Poor guy; looks like he is lost in the woods literally."

"Quiet, you." Another voice hisses at the first one in concern. "Perhaps if we stay quiet, this intruder will go away."

"Excuse me, anyone here?" Dusk ask in concern as he looks around. Someone must be here! The unicorn can hear the two voices!

"Look, not a word, Soarin', not a single one, got it?"

"Look, forgive me for intruding and coming in unexpectedly...but my friend Spike has run off with my cart and I was hoping to have a place to stay for the night."

"Awww, Caramel. Come on." The first voice, now known to be Soarin' said in sympathy. "Have a heart; he is in need of our hospitality."

"Forget it, quiet!" The second voice, AKA Caramel, snapped in annoyance. As Dusk looks around, the unicorn unnoticed steps on a little tail that is exposed in the light. This causes the second voice to scream in alarm and pain.

"Now I know someone's here! Who's here?" Dusk ask in concern. Whoever this Soarin' and this Caramel are, must be friendly, right? The unicorn sure hopes so or he is in bigger trouble than his confrontation with the Houndoom!

"Of course, you're welcome here, sir!" Soarin' voice calls out causing Dusk to look around. The unicorn looks around, yelping as he felt something fly by him, "Right here, sir!"

"Where?"

Dusk felt a tap on his shoulder causing him to turn around and saw a foal Pegasus colt, smiling at him. He has green eyes, a navy blue mane and a very pale azure coat. The colt appears to be wearing an outfit. His name is Soarin'.

"Hey there," Soarin' exclaims to Dusk with a smile. This causes the unicorn to yelp in alarm as he almost knocks the Pegasus pony to the floor, "Whoa, whoa, easy there! Sorry to scare ya pal but try to at least do so without knocking me out!"

"Sorry." Dusk apologizes though a bit confused. What is a young foal doing here, all alone and with no parents around? "Still, incredible."

Just then Dusk looks surprised as he saw another foal colt who looks upset. He has a cream caramel coat, caramel brown mane, and dark cyan eye stallion with three blue horseshoes on his flank. His name is Caramel.

"Ugh, now you've done it, Soarin'! You're going to get us all in trouble!" Caramel scowls to Soarin'. Suddenly the foal yelps as Dusk picks him up by his own fore hooves, "Hey, hooves off!"

"What are you two doing all alone and with no parents around obviously?" Dusk ask the two foals in curiosity.

"Hey, put me down, put me down right now!" Caramel protest then laughs madly as Dusk couldn't help but tickle his lower hooves. The unicorn then stops to look at his flank but the annoyed foal push him away. "Stop that, do you mind?"

"Oh, forgive me! I didn't mean to upset anyone. You see, I'm lost, in need of a place to stay and...AH...AH...ACHOO!"

Dusk has sneezed so loudly that he did so right near Caramel, causing the foal to yelp before groaning as he takes a hanky out to clean himself off. That was disgusting!

"Awww, you look cold and soaked, sir." Soarin' said in pity as he takes Dusk by the hoof, leading him to the parlor of the castle. "Come on, have a seat right near the fire. You definitely is in need of our hospitality."

Of course, neither Soarin', Caramel or Dusk notices that someone in the shadows on the second floor is watching them, glaring as he rush off. Most likely the unicorn is about to meet someone who isn't nice at all.

"Soarin', no, no, you know what the master would do if he finds out that this unicorn is here! Stop, I command you to stop!" Caramel protests as he grabs Dusk by the leg, trying to stop this. Unfortunately, his size was too big for him, causing the Earth Pony to the floor. Caramel got up and groans as Dusk was sat into an armchair that is near the fireplace where a fire is now burning, "Awww, no. Not the master's chair."

Just then a female toffee brown puppy with patches of white and black eyes came in, barking happily as she push a footstool right under the visitor's feet. Her name is Winona.

"Thank you." Dusk said with a smile, causing Winona to bark happily. What great service, even if it's from young foals and a puppy. Weird!

"Oh...not looking, not looking..." Caramel groans a bit as he covers his eyes in worry. The master would not be pleased to see him at all!

"Hey there, little puppy," Dusk smiles as he pets Winona then smiles as a young foal named JJB88 puts a blanket over the unicorn, keeping him warm. "Wow, nice service!"

"Stop it, stop it right now, enough! I'm in charge here and I say..."

Unfortunately a cart came into the room fast, knocking Caramel right down to the floor. As he groans, it stops right near as we saw another foal pushing the cart that has a tray of tea on it. It is a female orange Earth pony with green eyes, blonde mane and tail, both in a ponytail, wears only a cowboy hat and has three apples marking on her flank; her name is Applejack

"Well, howdy, sure! Welcome 'ta 'de castle, us members o' de Apple Family loves making new friends!" Applejack exclaims happily as she shakes Dusk by the hoof, causing him to shake a bit like mad.

"Whoa, why thank you!" Dusk chuckles a bit as he lets go of Applejack's hoof. "My, strong for a little filly, aren't you?"

"Thank yew. Would yew like some tea? Yew need some after a cold night out 'here! Normally I preferred 'ta serve Apple Cider but 'dis is 'de best 'dat we got on short notice."

"No, no tea!" Caramel exclaims frantically as he rush to the group in worry.

Of course, Applejack just ignores Caramel as she pours a cup of tea and gave it to someone who passes it to Dusk who drank it. Of course, his tail begins tickling the one who is giving the tea cup to him: it's a foal filly, but a baby version that had golden yellow fur and a red mane that had a big red bow in it. This is Applebloom, Applejack's sister.

"Hee hee; his tail is done tickling me, Applejack." Apple Bloom giggles, much to Dusk's surprise.

"Oh, hello there," Dusk said, chuckling to the filly. "I didn't know that baby fillies like you can talk yet."

"Trust me, there's more to this place that meets the eye, sir." Another baby filly, who appears with a third one, spoke up. She has orange coat, grayish purple eyes, and ragged, pale short pink mane as well as a pink tail. Her name is Scootaloo. "And it's kinda long story."

"Right, you need some clothes, sir." The third baby filly spoke up. She is small, adorable-looking and has a whitish-coat, big sap-green eyes, a unicorn horn and a purple and pink mane and tail. Her name is Sweetie Belle. "If we could find my sister Rarity, she could make you warm clothes in an instant!"

"Why, I would like that!" Dusk exclaims with a smile. "Where..."

But suddenly the parlor doors was slammed opened, causing a howling wind to be blown into the room, putting the fire out and making the servants gasp, with Caramel hiding under the rug in fear.

The CMC hide behind the shivering Applejack with Apple Bloom saying, "Uh oh; not good."

"I didn't know that he was coming down here today." Scootaloo adds with a gulp.

Dusk looks around, a bit frightened as he saw a shadow of an angry figure that is coming into the parlor, crawling on all fours. It's a furry black huge pony with red eyes, wolf like teeth, a black mane, a black tail and a red collar. He is known as the Demon Pony, the former prince of the castle that is under the spell, but Dusk doesn't know that.

As the Demon Pony furiously came into the parlor, he snarls, "A stranger is in here..."

"Master, err, let me explain." Soarin' said with a gulp. "You see, this unicorn was lost in the woods and is very cold. I figure that we..."

The Demon Pony of course roars in fury, causing the Pegasus pony to yelp and looks nervously at his master. Caramel gulps as he peeked out from under the rug. His master is very upset indeed.

"Uh, sir, I like to take this moment to speak up. I was against this from the very start!" Caramel snaps as he points to Soarin' frantically. "This was all his fault, I wanted to stop him! But the fool refuses to listen! He..."

The Demon Pony however roars at Caramel, causing him to yelp in fear as he hides under the rug once more. Dusk turns to his right, looking for the master that the foals are speaking to. Then he looks to the left and gasps upon seeing the Demon Pony, on his two hind legs, glaring at him.

"Gah," Dusk exclaims as he fell out of the armchair before backing away from the furious Demon Pony.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" The Demon Pony demands to Dusk furiously.

"I was lost in the woods, honestly!"

"YOU ARE NOT WELCOMED HERE!"

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to trespass, honestly!" Dusk protests nervously as he focus on the Demon Pony. The monster didn't like the stare from the intruder, not one bit.

"And what are you staring at?" The Demon Pony snarls at Dusk in fury. He hates being look at like that; it makes him even more furious than usual!

"Err, nothing, honestly!"

"Oh, so...you came to stare at the Demon Pony, have you? Well, want to continue looking and take pictures? It will last longer than you!"

"Please, sir, I mean no harm!" Dusk exclaims in fear as the angry Demon Pony advances on him. The unicorn is obviously scared to death for his own life. "I just want a place to stay!"

"Oh, you want a place to stay? I will give you a place to stay!" The Demon Pony snaps furiously as he grabs Dusk and drags him out of the parlor like a prisoner of a dangerous monster.

"NO, PLEASE! NOOOOO!"

The servants can only watch helplessly and in concern as the Demon Pony drags Dusk out of the room, slamming the door close on his way out. Poor Dusk. If he's lucky to survive the master's wrath, life in the tower would definitely kill him!

Author's note
Oh no! Dusk's stay at the castle wasn't a good one! Now he's a prisoner of the Demon Pony! In the next chapter, after Boris's attempt to marry Twilight, the purple unicorn and Spike heads to the castle, where Twilight meets the Demon Pony. In order to save her father, the filly must make the ultimate sacrifice. Read, review and suggest.

The Houndoom of course are Pokemon.

JJB88 is an author in pony form.